Final Chance For Manchester City As Underdogs Aim To Make FA Cup History

‎Manchester City is set to take on Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-finals, seeking to preserve their last opportunity for silverware in a challenging season.

‎City remains the only Premier League giant still in contention, as Nottingham Forest, Fulham, and Brighton lead a year of underdog triumphs in the FA Cup.

‎Sportxparte looks at the key storylines ahead of the weekend’s action.

‎Manchester City Faces Bournemouth

‎In danger of enduring their first season without a major trophy since 2016/17, Manchester City will head to Bournemouth with some trepidation after losing at the Vitality Stadium earlier this term.

‎When Pep Guardiola’s side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League last November, it marked the first time in history that Manchester City had lost to the Cherries.

‎This surprising setback foreshadowed a dramatic downturn for City, as they managed to secure only one victory in their subsequent 11 matches across all competitions.

‎After winning six English titles in the past seven seasons, Manchester City now finds itself in fifth place in the Premier League. The team is now fighting to secure qualification for next season’s Champions League while trying to avoid their first season without silverware since Pep Guardiola’s first year at the Etihad Stadium.

‎A defeat at Nottingham Forest and a draw with Brighton in their last two games serve as a reminder that Guardiola is yet to solve the litany of issues that have plagued City this season.

‎Experiencing further disappointment against Bournemouth, a team that has never reached the FA Cup semi-finals, would add another chapter of shame to what has been a difficult season for Guardiola.

‎Fulham’s Bid to End 50 Years of FA Cup Woe

‎Fulham will host Crystal Palace on Saturday to end the 50-year FA Cup drought.

‎The West London club hadn’t reached the FA Cup final since their only appearance in 1975 when they lost to West Ham.

‎Additionally, their last semi-final appearance came in 2002, making this match a significant opportunity for the Cottagers.

‎Marco Silva’s men beat the holders Manchester United on penalties in the fifth round, but they suffered a 2-0 home defeat against Palace in the league in February.

‎Including that victory, Oliver Glasner’s team is on an impressive run of five successive away wins in all competitions and has kept six consecutive clean sheets on the road.

‎Crystal Palace, who have yet to win the FA Cup, could see Jean-Philippe Mateta return after he trained this week.

‎The French striker had been recovering from a brutal challenge by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts that left him with 25 stitches around his ear.

‎Will Forest be felled by Wood Injury?

‎Nottingham Forest will be without star striker Chris Wood as they target another milestone moment in their dream season.

‎Nuno Espirito Santo’s team has climbed to third in the Premier League, bringing them closer to their first Champions League appearance since the 1980/81 season.

‎Currently, they are enjoying a strong performance that has caught the attention of many. If he guides Nottingham Forest to their first FA Cup semi-final since 1991, when they lost to Tottenham in the final, it would further enhance his credentials.

‎Achieving both milestones would significantly strengthen Nuno’s case for being named manager of the year.

‎But Forest has to do it the hard way after their leading scorer, Wood, was ruled out with a hip injury sustained on international duty with New Zealand.

‎”He will not be available for this game. He felt a kick really hard on his hip so there is pain there,” Nuno said.

‎Preston aims to shock Villa

‎In the last of the quarter-final matchups, Preston North End, sitting 14th in the Championship, will host Premier League side Aston Villa.

‎As the last club outside the top tier remaining in this year’s FA Cup, Preston’s history in the tournament is rich, having won it in 1889 and 1938.

‎However, they haven’t reached the semi-finals since 1964, and their dreams of a Cup run face a formidable opponent in Aston Villa, who have their eyes set on making the semi-finals for the first time in a decade.

‎Villa, currently riding high after reaching the Champions League quarter-finals, has a storied history in the FA Cup but last claimed the trophy in 1957.

‎With a strong squad and momentum on their side, they will look to extend Preston’s long wait for progression in the competition while also attempting to end their own trophy drought.